China dominates Chad’s imports as UAE leads export purchases

China: Overwhelming supplier to Chad

In 2025, China shipped 306.5 billion FCFA worth of goods to Chad, accounting for 30.7% of all imports — a share no other partner comes close to matching. Cameroon, the second-largest supplier, delivered only 108.4 billion FCFA, roughly one-third of China’s volume. Libya ranked third with 85.8 billion FCFA, or 8.6%.

The nature of these imports reveals a classic pattern: manufactured products, industrial equipment, and everyday consumer goods flow from China into Chad. This North-South trade dynamic sees the African nation absorbing Asia’s industrial output in exchange for raw materials — a strategy Beijing has successfully replicated across Africa over the past two decades.

United Arab Emirates: Export hub for Chad

On the export side, the picture flips dramatically. The UAE emerged as the top buyer of Chadian goods in 2025, purchasing 333.3 billion FCFA — 26.2% of total exports. Malaysia followed with 297.8 billion FCFA (23.4%), and Germany with 279.9 billion FCFA (22%).

The UAE’s role is less that of a final consumer and more a global redistribution platform. Dubai and Abu Dhabi serve as international trading hubs where Chadian crude oil is transshipped, sometimes refined or blended, before being re-exported to other markets. While this intermediation proves profitable for the Emirates and acceptable for Chad, it means N’Djamena often lacks visibility on the ultimate destination of its own resources.

30.7% of imports — from China — a regional record

26.2% of exports — captured by the United Arab Emirates

79.8% top 10 partners — imports concentrated among ten countries

France and United States: Present but eclipsed

Despite historical ties with Chad, France accounted for only 5.1% of imports (50.9 billion FCFA), placing sixth. The United States ranked fifth with 53.0 billion FCFA (5.3%). These figures highlight a steady shift in Chad’s trade partnerships toward Asia, the Middle East, and emerging economies, at the expense of traditional Western powers.

Other notable suppliers include India (4.3%), Togo (3.6%), Brazil (2.9%), and Turkey (2.3%), rounding out a diversified import picture. Yet Chad remains heavily reliant on China for the bulk of its inbound goods.

A geography of dependencies in need of rebalancing

The strategic takeaway from this report is clear: Chad sells to a narrow set of destinations — the top ten buyers absorb 98.9% of exports — while sourcing from a somewhat broader but still China-dominated supplier base. This dual concentration exposes the country to external shocks that a deliberate trade diversification strategy, on both the export and import sides, could help mitigate.